PESHAWAR - In a bid to encourage violence-hit people from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and adjoining tribal areas of combating the growing trend of militancy with cultural events and constructive debates, the South Asia Partnership Pakistan (SAP-Pakistan) arranged a colourful Peace Festival in Peshawar.
The peace festival, first ever of its kind in last two years, was attended by people from different walks of life, including politicians, academicians, civil society members, students and journalists.
Singers and artists mostly from stage and television have performed whereas speakers have highlighted importance of such colourful events in Peshawar like city whereas heinous violent and criminal acts become order of the day.
At the outset of event, SAP Pakistan office holders, including Regional Programme Coordinator Allah Noor Afridi, South Asia Partnership Pakistan Sikander Zaman Regional Manager and Regional Coordinator Naeemur Rashed, highlighted purposes of the event, which is to encourage peace lovers to indulge themselves in positive cultural and political events, which is the easy tool for combating trends of extremism and violence.
They said that SAP-Pakistan launched a drive "Citizen Action for Peace and Development" aimed at educating people about peace and development. In this respect, the SAP arranged debates, seminars and workshops in almost all parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and FATA.
Leaders of different political parties, including former provincial minister Mian Iftikhar Hussain, also spoke on the occasion whereas they paid glowing tributes to all those who fell victim to militancy and terrorism in last one decade. Mian Iftikhar in particular diverted attention of the participants towards previous government's policies of tackling trend of violence and extremism in the province. He said that as a result of such a policy, the previous government succeeded in restoration of writ of law in the province and also confined militants into tribal region.
In this respect, the previous government suggested full pledge military action in Waziristan in 2009 last. He appreciated the present government for launching military action, hoping it will bring positive results.
Senior journalist Shamim Shahid highlighted his community role in efforts aimed at restoration of peace and harmony. He said that media must portray militants as criminals, anti-state and anti-social. Whereas the victims irrespective of race, colour and religion must be named as martyrs and heroes. He said that with promotion of peace workers and democracy, media could easily discourage and defeat the militants and their supporters and sponsors.
IDP WOMAN KILLED IN
BANNU ATTACK
An IDP woman was gunned down and three others, including a child, sustained injuries after unidentified assailants attacked a vehicle in Bannu on Friday.
A vehicle carrying IDPs from Eddak area was on way to the camp, when unknown armed assailants attacked it in the limits of Jani Khel Police Station.
Resultantly, a woman identified as Jamila Bibi wife of Noor Sarwar Khan died while three others Zarin Taja, Habibullah Khan and a child Lal Saeed sustained wounds in the incident.
The attackers managed to flee from the scene after committing the crime while the dead body and injured were shifted to hospital for medico-legal formalities.
It is not the first incident of killing IDPs in Bannu. According to police the incident could be outcome of personal enmity. However, they lodged an FIR and started investigation into the incident.
FC MAN KILLS STUDENT
IN PESHAWAR
Online adds: Sajidullah, a student of Peshawar University, was shot dead allegedly by an FC official in Hyatabad area of the City.
Sources said that the FC official opened fire when Sajidullah didn't pull up his vehicle despite being stopped by the paramilitary forces.
However, Abdullah, a brother of the deceased said that the FC official wanted to kidnap his brother.
He said that the FC official had been arrested while a case had also been lodged at the Hayatabad police station.